ARRANGEMENT WITH TWO SWITCHING DEVICES, CORRESPONDING SYSTEM AND VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a first switching device and a second switching device. The present invention also relates to a system comprising such an assembly and a transformer, as well as to a vehicle comprising such an assembly.

[0002] WO 2016 / 125328 A1 and EP3706151 disclose an assembly comprising a first switching device and a second switching device.

[0003] Vehicles, particularly electric vehicles, frequently include transformers powered, for example, by a pantograph and used to supply electrical power to the vehicle, such as power to an electric motor for propelling the vehicle. These transformers are generally mounted under the vehicle chassis due to their large size and heavy weight.

[0004] Such transformers are generally associated with switching devices for controlling the power supply to at least one winding of the transformer. The switching device is then placed on the roof of the vehicle, near the pantograph, and connected to the transformer by one or more cables. Each cable is connected to a connector protruding from the transformer housing and fixed to this connector in such a way as to prevent it from coming loose under the effect of vehicle vibrations.

[0005] In many cases, two switching devices are used in series, a first (acting as a circuit breaker) to protect the transformer against electrical faults by cutting off the power from the pantograph, and a second to connect or disconnect at least one of the windings as required, for example by connecting a second winding offset to limit the inrush current. In these cases, one of the windings is usually always connected to the first switching device by the second switching device, so that a power supply to the vehicle is ensured under all circumstances, except in the event of an electrical fault that would trip the circuit breaker.

[0006] These arrangements of several devices are relatively complex since the switching devices and the transformer are distributed and fixed in various places in the vehicle, and must be connected by a large number of conductors, these being electrically insulated in a very secure manner due to the high electrical voltages used.

[0007] In addition, it is necessary to provide plenty of space both on the roof of the vehicle and under the chassis to accommodate this equipment.

[0008] There is therefore a need for an assembly comprising two switching devices in series, intended to be connected to a transformer of a vehicle, which makes it possible to reduce the complexity of mounting and connecting the vehicle and which makes it possible to free up space in the vehicle.

[0009] For this purpose, an assembly according to claim 1 is provided.

[0010] According to optional embodiments, the assembly is according to any one of claims 2 to 8.

[0011] Also provided is a vehicle according to claim 9.

[0012] Characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which: [ Fig 1 ] there figure 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle comprising an assembly according to the invention, [ Fig 2 ] there figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of an example of the entire figure 1 , connected to a transformer, and [ Fig 3 ] there figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of another example of the whole of the figure 1 , connected to a transformer.

[0013] A vehicle 10 is shown on the figure 1 in a schematic way.

[0014] The vehicle 10 is, for example, a public transport vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle such as a train or a tram. Alternatively, the vehicle 10 is a road vehicle such as a bus or a trolleybus.

[0015] The vehicle 10 comprises a chassis 15, a body 20 carried by the chassis 15, a pantograph 25 and a first example of a system 42, this system 42 comprising a transformer 30 and an assembly 32 comprising a first switching device 35 and a second switching device 40.

[0016] System 42 appears in more detail on the figure 2 .

[0017] The chassis 15 supports the bodywork 20, and is notably arranged below the bodywork 20 when the vehicle 10 is in operation.

[0018] The body 20 delimits an interior volume of the vehicle 10.

[0019] The pantograph 25 is, in a manner known per se, configured to come into contact with a catenary to supply the vehicle 10 with an electric current.

[0020] The pantograph 25 is configured to electrically supply the assembly 32, and in particular the second switching device 40, with the electric current received from the catenary.

[0021] The transformer 30 comprises at least a first primary winding 45, a secondary winding 47, a first housing 50, a first primary connector 55 and a magnetic circuit 57. Optionally, the transformer 30 comprises a second primary winding 60 and a second primary connector 65.

[0022] The first primary winding 45 is wound around the magnetic circuit 57.

[0023] The first primary winding 45 has a first terminal 70 and a second terminal 75, the first primary winding 45 being configured to conduct a current received from the first switching device 35 via the terminal 70 to the second terminal 75.

[0024] The first terminal 70 is electrically connected to the first primary connector 55.

[0025] The second terminal 75 is, for example, grounded.

[0026] The secondary winding 47 is wound around the magnetic circuit 57 and has a third terminal 80 and a fourth terminal 85. It should be noted that the number of secondary windings 47 is likely to be greater than one.

[0027] Terminals 80 and 85 of the secondary winding 47 are connected to an electrical device of the vehicle, for example to an electrical system supplying a plurality of devices, or to an electric motor.

[0028] In a manner known per se, the transformer 30 is configured to, when a first voltage is imposed on the terminals 70, 75 of the first primary winding 45, generate a second voltage between the terminals 80, 85 of the secondary winding 47.

[0029] The second voltage is, for example, strictly lower than the first voltage.

[0030] The first housing 50 delimits a chamber accommodating the first primary winding 45, the core 57, the secondary winding 47 and the second primary winding 60.

[0031] The first housing 50 is configured to electrically isolate the first primary winding 45, the circuit 57, the secondary winding 47 and the second primary winding 60 from the exterior of the housing 50.

[0032] The first primary connector 55 passes through a portion of the first housing 50 to electrically connect the first terminal 70 to the first switching device 35.

[0033] The first primary connector 55 forms a projection relative to the first housing 50.

[0034] The first primary connector 55 comprises, for example, a conductive element 90 and a sheath 95.

[0035] The conductive element 90 is made, for example, of a metallic material such as copper or aluminum.

[0036] The conductive element 90 passes through a portion of the first housing 50. The conductive element 90 is, for example, a metal bar extending in a main direction.

[0037] The conductive element 90 is electrically connected to the first terminal.

[0038] The sheath 95 surrounds the conductive element 90 in a plane perpendicular to the main direction of the conductive element 90.

[0039] The sheath 95 is made of an electrically insulating material, for example epoxy.

[0040] The sheath 95 extends from the first housing 50 in the main direction of the conductive element 90.

[0041] The sheath 95 is, for example, open at its end opposite the first housing 50, so as to reveal one end of the conductive element 90, this end delimiting the conductive element 90 along the main direction thereof.

[0042] The second primary winding 60 is wound around the magnetic circuit 57.

[0043] The second primary winding 60 has a fifth terminal 100 and a sixth terminal 105, the second primary winding 60 being configured to conduct a current received from the first switching device 35 via the terminal 100 to the terminal 105.

[0044] In a manner known per se, the transformer 30 is configured to, when a first voltage is imposed on the terminals 100, 105 of the second primary winding 60, generate a second voltage between the terminals 80, 85 of the secondary winding 47.

[0045] The fifth terminal 100 is electrically connected to the second primary connector 65.

[0046] The sixth terminal 105 is, for example, grounded.

[0047] The second primary connector 65 passes through a portion of the first housing 50 to electrically connect the fifth terminal 100 to the first switching device 35.

[0048] The second primary connector 65 is, for example, identical to the first primary connector 55, and then comprises a conductive element 97 and a sheath 98.

[0049] The first switching device 35 is fixed to the transformer 30. In particular, the first switching device 35 is fixed to the first housing 50, in particular secured to the first housing 50.

[0050] By "solidary" it is understood that a movement of one of the solidary elements implies an identical movement of the other element.

[0051] The first switching device 35 is configured to receive the electric current from the second switching device 40 and to supply the transformer 30 with the electric current.

[0052] In particular, the first switching device 35 comprises a second housing 110, a first input terminal 115, a switching mechanism 120, an actuator 125, a first secondary connector 130 and a second secondary connector 135.

[0053] The second housing 110 is electrically insulating.

[0054] The second housing 110 defines a chamber accommodating the switching mechanism 120 and, optionally, the actuator 125, and is configured to electrically isolate the switching mechanism 120 from the exterior of the second housing 110.

[0055] The second housing 110 defines, in particular, a first opening, a second opening, a third opening and a fourth opening. It should be noted that the number of openings is likely to vary.

[0056] Each of the openings is configured to allow passage of an electrical connector through the housing 110.

[0057] The first opening is configured to accommodate the first primary connector 55 so as to connect the first primary connector 55 to the switching mechanism 120. The first opening is notably delimited by the connector 130.

[0058] The second opening is configured to accommodate the second primary connector 65 so as to connect the second primary connector 65 to the switching mechanism 120. The second opening is notably delimited by the connector 135.

[0059] The third opening at least partially accommodates the first input terminal 115.

[0060] The fourth opening is closed by an insulating plug 137 suitable for electrically insulating the interior of the second housing 110 from the exterior of the second housing 110.

[0061] The first input terminal 115 is configured to be electrically connected to the second switching device 40.

[0062] The first input terminal 115 passes through a portion of the housing 110 to electrically connect said device 40 to the switching mechanism 120.

[0063] The first input terminal 115 comprises, for example, in a similar manner to the connectors 55 and 65, a conductive element 138 and a sheath 139.

[0064] As will be apparent hereinafter, the first input terminal 115 is configured to cooperate with the second switching device 40 to attach the second switching device 40 to the first switching device 35.

[0065] The switching mechanism 120 is configured to switch between a first configuration and a second configuration.

[0066] In the first configuration, the switching mechanism 120 electrically connects the first input terminal 115 to the first secondary connector 130.

[0067] In the second configuration, the switching mechanism 120 electrically isolates the first input terminal 115 from the first secondary connector 130.

[0068] The switching mechanism 120 comprises, for example, in a manner known per se, two electrically conductive terminals 140 and 145 and two contacts 150 and 155.

[0069] Terminal 140 is electrically connected to the first secondary connector 130.

[0070] Terminal 145 is electrically connected to second secondary connector 135 and first input terminal 115.

[0071] Contact 150 is electrically connected to terminal 140.

[0072] The contact 150 is movable between a first position and a second position which respectively define the first and second configurations.

[0073] Contact 155 is electrically connected to terminal 145.

[0074] When contact 150 is in the first position, contact 150 is electrically connected to contact 155. When contact 150 is in the second position, contact 150 is disconnected from contact 155.

[0075] The actuator 125 is, in a manner known per se, configured to move the contact 150 between its two positions, for example on a command received from a device external to the first switching device 35.

[0076] The first secondary connector 130 is electrically connected to the first primary connector 55.

[0077] The first secondary connector 130 is configured to cooperate with the first primary connector 55 to attach the first switching device 35 to the transformer 30.

[0078] In particular, as will appear below, the first secondary connector 130 is configured to cooperate with the first primary connector 55 to secure the second housing 110 to the first housing 50.

[0079] The first secondary connector 130 comprises, for example, an electrically conductive element 160 passing through a portion of the housing and electrically connected to the terminal 145, and a protective element 165.

[0080] The conductive element 160 is configured to be electrically connected to the conductive element 90 of the first primary connector 55 when the first switching device 35 is attached to the transformer 30.

[0081] The conductive element 160 is, for example, configured to be fixed to the corresponding conductive element 90 by a screw passing through these two elements 90, 160 jointly. In this case, each of the conductive elements 90, 160 comprises a cavity for receiving the screw.

[0082] The conductive element 160 is, for example, configured to be crossed by the screw, this screw extending for example in the main direction of the corresponding element 90.

[0083] The conductive element 160 is, for example, a part of the terminal 145, or is formed by a separate part of the terminal 145.

[0084] The protective element 165 is configured to electrically isolate the conductive element 160 from the outside of the assembly 32 when the first switching device 35 is attached to the transformer 30. In particular, the protective element 165 surrounds the conductive element 160 in a plane perpendicular to the main direction of the first primary connector 55 when the connectors 55 and 130 are connected to each other.

[0085] The protective element 165 is, for example, integral with the second housing 110. For example, the protective element 165 is formed by a portion of the second housing 110, such as a portion delimiting an orifice configured to accommodate the first primary connector 55.

[0086] The protective element 165 is, for example, a portion of the second housing 110 forming a projection from the rest of the second housing 110.

[0087] The protective element 165 is, for example, configured to accommodate the sheath 95 of the first primary connector 55. In particular, the protective element 165 is complementary to the sheath 95 and configured to enclose the sheath 95 in a plane perpendicular to the main direction of the corresponding element 90, so as to prevent relative movement between the two housings 110.

[0088] The second secondary connector 135 is configured to be connected to the second primary connector 65 when the first switching device 35 is attached to the transformer 30.

[0089] The second secondary connector 135 is configured to cooperate with the second primary connector 65 to fix the first switching device 35 to the transformer 30, in particular to fix the second housing 110 to the first housing 50.

[0090] The second secondary connector 135 is for example identical to the first secondary connector 130, and then comprises an electrically conductive element 167 passing through a part of the housing and electrically connected to the terminal 140 (or even formed by a part of the terminal 140), and a protective element 168 identical to the element 165.

[0091] Optionally, the first switching device 35 further comprises one or more fixing elements configured to cooperate with the transformer 30 to fix the first switching device 35 in its connection position to the transformer 30.

[0092] Each fixing element is, for example, an element in relief relative to the second housing 110 configured to secure the second housing 110 to the first housing 50. Each element in relief is, in particular, configured to cooperate with a complementary element of the first housing 50. For example, each element in relief is a protrusion configured to be screwed to the complementary element, or to be inserted into the complementary element in order to hold the housings 110 and 50 in position relative to each other.

[0093] The second switching device 40 is fixed to the first switching device 35. In particular, the second switching device 40 is fixed to, and in particular integral with, the second housing 110 of the first switching device 35.

[0094] The second switching device 40 is configured to receive the electrical current from the pantograph 25 and to supply the first switching device 35 with the electrical current.

[0095] In particular, the second switching device 40 comprises a third housing 170, a second input terminal 175, a switching mechanism 177 which is for example identical to that of the first switching device 35, an actuator 180, and a tertiary connector 185.

[0096] The third housing 170 is for example identical to the second housing 110.

[0097] The first opening of the third housing 170 is closed by an insulating plug 190.

[0098] The second opening of the third housing 170 is configured to accommodate the first input terminal 115 so as to connect the first input terminal 115 to the switching mechanism 177 of the second switching device 40, in particular to the terminal 145 of the latter. This second opening is in particular delimited by the tertiary connector 185.

[0099] The third opening of the third housing 170 is, for example, closed by an insulating plug 195.

[0100] The fourth opening of the third housing 170 accommodates the second input terminal 175.

[0101] The second input terminal 175 is configured to be electrically connected to the pantograph 25 via an electrical conductor 200.

[0102] The second input terminal 175 passes through a portion of the housing 170 to electrically connect said device to the switching mechanism 177.

[0103] The second input terminal 175 comprises, for example, in a similar manner to the connectors 55 and 65, a conductive element 90 and a sheath 95.

[0104] The switching mechanism 177 is configured to switch between a third configuration and a fourth configuration.

[0105] In the third configuration, the switching mechanism 177 electrically connects the second input terminal 175 to the tertiary connector 185, and thus to the first input terminal 115.

[0106] In the fourth configuration, the switching mechanism 177 electrically isolates the second input terminal 175 from the tertiary connector 185.

[0107] Terminal 140 of mechanism 177 is electrically connected to tertiary connector 185.

[0108] Terminal 145 of mechanism 177 is electrically connected to second input terminal 175.

[0109] The actuator 180 is, in a manner known per se, configured to move the contact 150 of the second switching device 40 between its two positions.

[0110] The actuator 180 is, in particular, configured to switch the mechanism 177 from the third to the fourth configuration following the detection of an electrical fault from values ​​of the current flowing in the second switching device 40.

[0111] For example, the second switching device 40 further comprises a trigger module capable of measuring values ​​of the current flowing through the second switching device 40, of detecting an electrical fault (in a manner known per se) from the measured values ​​and of transmitting to the actuator 180 a switching command to the fourth configuration, following detection of the fault.

[0112] In this case, the second switching device 40 is, for example, a circuit breaker. Furthermore, the actuator 180 is, for example, different from the actuator 125 so as to ensure sufficiently rapid switching for the second switching device 40 to play its role as a circuit breaker. Such rapid switching is generally not necessary for the switching device 35, which is not a circuit breaker.

[0113] It should be noted that the trigger module is likely to be remote from the housing 170 and then form, for example, a device separate from the second switching device 40 which it is capable of controlling.

[0114] The tertiary connector 185 is electrically connected to the first input terminal 115.

[0115] The tertiary connector 185 is configured to cooperate with the first input terminal 115 to attach the second switching device 40 to the first switching device 35.

[0116] In particular, the tertiary connector 185 is configured to cooperate with the first input terminal 115 to secure the third housing 170 to the second housing 110.

[0117] The tertiary connector 185 is for example identical to the first secondary connector 130. In this case, the tertiary connector 185 comprises an electrically conductive element 187 passing through a part of the housing and electrically connected to the terminal 140 of the mechanism 177 (or even formed by a part of this terminal 140), and a protection element 188 identical to the element 168.

[0118] Optionally, the second switching device 40 further comprises one or more fixing elements configured to cooperate with the first switching device 35 to fix the second switching device 40 in its connection position to the first switching device 35.

[0119] The system 42 can be fixed in one piece to the vehicle 10, for example under the chassis 15. Since its different components 30, 35, 40 are fixed to each other, this fixing can be obtained by fixing only one of these components 30, 35, 40 to the vehicle 10, for example the transformer 30 which is generally heavier than the devices 30 and 35. In addition, it is not necessary to provide numerous conductors connecting the different elements 30, 35 and 40. The assembly of the vehicle 10 is therefore simplified.

[0120] The use of plugs 137, 190, 195 to close some of the openings makes it possible to use identical housings 110 and 170 by simply adapting them for use as the first or second switching device 35, 40 by mounting the corresponding connectors or input terminals 115, 175 and closing the unused openings. The manufacture of the system 42 and in particular of the assembly 32 is then simplified.

[0121] Likewise, the use of identical switching members 120, 177 and different actuators 125, 180 from one switching device 35, 40 to another also makes it possible to simply adapt a switching device to its use as the first or second switching device 35, 40 in the assembly 32.

[0122] A second example of a system 42 comprising an assembly 32 and a transformer 30 is shown in FIG. figure 3 and will now be described. The elements identical to the first example of system 42 of the figure 2 are not described again. Only the differences are highlighted.

[0123] The first switching device 35 is connected to the first terminal 70 of the first winding 45 by a flexible conductor 205, for example a cable.

[0124] For example, the cable 205 passes through the first housing 50 to connect to the first terminal 70 and is fixed to the first secondary connector 130, which then takes for example the form of a conductive element 90 associated with a sheath 95.

[0125] The first primary connector 55 is then received in the housing 50 to connect the flexible conductor 205 to the terminal 70. Alternatively, the first primary connector 55 is identical to that of the first example.

[0126] The first and fourth openings are merged. For example, a single opening capable of accommodating either the input terminal 175 or the connector 130 is provided in the housing, this opening being formed in a wall perpendicular to the direction of movement of the contact 150, in particular in the center of this face.

[0127] Only the second primary connector 65 fixes the first connection device 35 to the transformer 30. The flexible conductor 205 allows relative movement between the first connection device 35 and the transformer 30 if necessary.

[0128] Since the flexibility of the flexible conductor 205 is compatible with a large number of possible positions of the corresponding opening in the housing 110, the number of openings therein can be reduced.

[0129] Furthermore, such a flexible conductor, which does not provide mechanical connection between the first connection device 35 and the transformer 30, is easier to install on these two devices in a secure manner, particularly in terms of electrical insulation, since the absence of the connection function leaves more room for optimizing the connection and electrical insulation.

[0130] Alternatively, it is the second secondary connector 65 and not the first primary connector 55 which is connected to the corresponding secondary connector 135 by a flexible conductor 205, the first primary connector 55 mechanically securing the transformer 30 to the first connection device 35 as in the first example.

Claims

1. A system comprising an assembly, and a transformer (30) comprising a main housing (50) and at least one primary connector (55, 65), the assembly (32) comprising a first switching device (35) and a second switching device (40) for a vehicle (10) comprising the transformer (30), the vehicle (10) being in particular a public transport vehicle (10), each primary connector (55, 65) being configured to be supplied with electricity by the first switching device (35), the first switching device (35) comprising a first housing (110), a first input terminal (115), at least one secondary connector (130, 135) and a first switching member (120) configured to switch between a first configuration, in which the first switching member (120) electrically connects the first input terminal (115) and one of the secondary connectors (130), and a second configuration, in which the first switching member (120) electrically isolates the first input terminal (115) from said secondary connector (130), said secondary connector (130) being connected to one of the primary connectors (55), the first switching member (120) being accommodated in the first housing (110), the second switching device (40) comprising a second housing (170), a second input terminal (175), a tertiary connector (185) and a second switching member (177) configured to switch between a third configuration in which the second switching member (177) electrically connects the second input terminal (175) and the tertiary connector (185) and a fourth configuration in which the second switching member (177) electrically isolates the second input terminal (175) from the tertiary connector (185), the second switching member (177) being housed in the second housing (170), the tertiary connector (185) being electrically connected to the second switching member (177), characterised in that the tertiary connector connected to the first input terminal (115), one of the secondary connectors (130, 135) being configured to cooperate with one of the primary connectors (55, 65) to securely fix the first switching device (35) to the transformer (30) when said primary connector (55) is connected to said secondary connector (130, 135), the first input terminal (115) being configured to cooperate with the tertiary connector (185) to secure the second switching device (40) to the first switching device (35) in a connection position when the tertiary connector (185) is connected to the first input terminal (115), the second switching device (40) being integral with the first housing (110) when the second switching device (40) is in its connection position.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the first switching device (35) comprises a first and a second secondary connector (130, 135) and the transformer (40) comprises a first and a second primary connector (55, 65), the first switching device (120) electrically connecting, in its first configuration, the first input terminal (115) and the first secondary connector (130), and electrically isolating in its second configuration the first input terminal (115) and the first secondary connector (130), the first secondary connector (130) being adapted to be connected to the first primary connector (55), the second secondary connector (135) being electrically connected to the first input terminal (115) and the second primary connector (65).

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second switching device (40) further comprises a trigger module configured to measure values of an electric current flowing between the second input terminal (175) and the tertiary connector (185) and for controlling a switching of the second switching member (177) from the third configuration to the fourth configuration according to the measured values.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the second secondary connector (135) is configured to cooperate with the second primary connector (65) to secure the first switching device (35) to the transformer (30).

5. System according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the first housing (110) is identical to the second housing (170), each first or second housing (110, 170) having at least a first opening, the first opening of the first switching device (35) having the first input terminal (115) passing through it, the first opening of the second switching device (40) being closed by an electrically insulating plug (195).

6. System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the first housing (110) is identical to the second housing (170), each first or second housing (110, 170) having at least one second opening, the second opening of the first switching device (35) being closed by an electrically insulating plug (137), the second opening of the second switching device (40) having the second input terminal (175) passing through it.

7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each first (35) or second (40) switching device further comprises an actuator (125, 180) configured to move the first or second switching member (120, 177) between its two positions, the first switching member (120) being identical to the second switching member (177), the actuators (125, 180) being different from each other.

8. A system according to the preceding claim 2, in which only one of the two primary connectors (55, 65) is configured to cooperate with the corresponding secondary connector (130, 135) to secure the first switching device (35) to the transformer, the other primary connector (55, 65) being connected to the corresponding secondary connector (130, 135) by a flexible electrical conductor (205) such as a cable.

9. A vehicle (10), in particular a public transport vehicle (10), comprising a system (42) according to any one of the preceding claims.